Charity set up in memory of Air India crash victim

The relatives of a man who died in the Air India plane crash have started a charity so "he'll never be forgotten".

Faizan Rafik, from Leicester, was one of 230 passengers on board flight 171 when it crashed shortly after take-off in June 2025.

All of those on board, except one, were killed and investigations into what caused the plane to come down are ongoing.

His family said the charity in the 25-year-old's honour would help people who were in need around the world.

Sameer Rafik said the death of his cousin had been very difficult for the family.

"It's still tough," he said. "I still don't believe that we have lost Faizan.

"I still remember the last two hours which I spent with him because I was the one who drove him to the airport."

The plane was heading to London Gatwick Airport from Ahmedabad in India, when it crashed into a building 32 seconds after take-off.

Sameer said the family had decided to start a charity in Faizan's name to help people who were in need and had lost loved ones.

It will help those not only in the UK, but all over the world, they added.

"This way, we can keep ourselves happy that our brother is with us," said Sameer.

Families of those who lost their lives on the plane have said they are still seeking answers about the cause of the crash.

US lawyer Mike Andrews came to Leicester in December to speak to bereaved families and to act on their behalf.

He said: "We've learned there's a concentration of families in this area who lost loved ones on the flight and it's important for us to meet with as many people that have asked us to meet to help provide answers.

"There are also more practical questions that come up, such as the return of personal belongings that were collected from the crash site."

An interim review has been released and it is hoped a full report, led by India's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), will be published before the anniversary of the crash in June 2026.

Andrews said: "As a by-product of this day and age, the crash was captured on video.

"We've all seen it hundreds of times, it happened during the day in a very densely populated area, and so the photographs and videos that were obtained, that in itself is unique."

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